Im thinking of getting the Lap Band and have done a TON of research...then I get to this site and Im starting to get a little more than concerned. I will be a self pay patient and I keep reading about the hundreds of people who arent losing wieght, feeling unsuccessful, or have had out and out complications!

Are there people out there who havent had any complications and their band is working to help them lose wieght at a steady pace? Anyone who isnt disappointed and the band is working as intended? Being self pay I think my biggest dear is leakage or some other small compication.

Any input would be appreciated. Id love to have the surgery, I just dont want to waste my money if complications are more probable than I origionally thought.

Thanks Guys!!!

XOXO

Lauren

I agree with some of the other posters here Lauren.

They're right, the majority, who are successful have gone on living their lives and aren't sitting on the computer posting frustrations and concerns. Mostly you are finding relatively newly banded folks like myself, who might not feel the greatest yet. Right now, honestly I don't feel good, sometimes wonder if it was a mistake, and all the above you might have read about.

But I remember the 2 people who ultimately led me to this decision. One of them was about 350 lbs 2 years ago, currently in about a size 8, the other was 235 and is about 100 lbs today. They have long forgotten the little frustrations of being newly banded, and so shall the majority of us given a little time.

Best of Luck

Now this is how I feel. Most of the post in these forums are repetitive over and over and over again with the same questions. It just gets a little much to read after a while when you keep answering the same questions over and over because people dont come up with new ideas or different things to post. Its like watchng the same movie over and over or reading the same book it gets to be ridiculous to keep reading and I think some just get sick of it and stop coming here. The success or failure of your band is up to you and no one else. Plain and simple. The ones that just keep asking the same old questions over and over need to learn how to search the forums for the answers. I for one am not staying around here much longer cause I get tired of answering the same questions every single day. I dont think its because they moved on I think this just gets old for real it does.

I have had complications, including two revisional surgeries, but those were not my fault or the band's fault. I place the blame on the surgeon. Even with those complications, though, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Just nine month ago, I was 28 years old, 319lbs with a bmi of 47.1 . Now, I've lost 107.6lbs, have a bmi of 31.2 (I'm almost in the overweight range, something I haven't been in years). I would be interested to hear from those who HAVE had problems but still are successful.

Great thread!

Here's my 2 cents........ I pretty much agree with everyone who posted.

I was self-pay as well and almost have my surgery paid off! Wooo Hooo! I think I will get it paid off in 2 more payments. I have been making large payments when I can so it won't cost me so much in the long run.....like any credit card.

I have been banded for 18 months. I have had nothing happen that I would consider a complication. As Spartan said, I have had a couple of mere inconvenience type things along the way. Of course I fear complications that could happen, but I can't live my life around what "could" happen.

I consider myself and my band a success. I lost 100 pounds in the first year and it has slowed down to about a pound per month since. I am at a normal BMI now and only 5 pounds away from my original goal.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones where the band has been like magic. I really have not worked hard at it.

For me, the hardest thing has been the hit to my bank account paying off the surgery.

I wish you the very best

Now this is how I feel. Most of the post in these forums are repetitive over and over and over again with the same questions. It just gets a little much to read after a while when you keep answering the same questions over and over because people dont come up with new ideas or different things to post. Its like watchng the same movie over and over or reading the same book it gets to be ridiculous to keep reading and I think some just get sick of it and stop coming here. The success or failure of your band is up to you and no one else. Plain and simple. The ones that just keep asking the same old questions over and over need to learn how to search the forums for the answers. I for one am not staying around here much longer cause I get tired of answering the same questions every single day. I dont think its because they moved on I think this just gets old for real it does.

wow really, you act like you run this site. Seriously if you are at the point where this site does nothing for you then why are you still here. If you don't want to answer the same questions over and over again, then here's an idea... don't do it! And for you being hungry hungry hungry, then maybe you are doing it wrong, eating the wrong foods and therefore you shouldn't be giving advise to anybody. I think I heard it best from someone else that replied, Get off your high horse lady and find something else in your life to complain about!

new lapband last week, been having epigastric pressure since day one, was admitted to hospital for 2 days unable to drink without increase pain and discomfort., dehydrated, very discouraged. still unable to take more than 4oz of fluids over 1hour in. if i take in more i have discomfort. at times i am hungry, i am very sad and unhappy, everyone promises this will get better, i dont know what to do??

Sorry that you're having a rough time of it. Not knowing your intake and types of intake or the temperature of them...Have you tried liquids at room temp or even warm? Not hot and not cold. Your stomach is probably very extremely irritated. I know mine was. I sipped warm peppermint tea for two days until my stomach started to settle. I walked and I walked some more. Try a warm heating pad over your tummy.

How are you doing now?

thank u for responding with compassion and helpful hints, i am better, but only able to take in about 30oz of fluid in day. i am trying to increase it. my spirit is better, because the pain is better. do you have trouble lying down at night, the band causes me discomfort. its an awful pressure. no postion seems to relieve it. i sleep with 4 pillow. i pray this gets better. lack of sleep is no good.

Sorry that you're having a rough time of it. Not knowing your intake and types of intake or the temperature of them...Have you tried liquids at room temp or even warm? Not hot and not cold. Your stomach is probably very extremely irritated. I know mine was. I sipped warm peppermint tea for two days until my stomach started to settle. I walked and I walked some more. Try a warm heating pad over your tummy.

How are you doing now?

To original op I was banded 7 1/2 months ago and down 93 pounds (at doctor's goal as of today and 10 away from personal). I have had no complications, including no pbs or vomiting. I have gotten stuck for not chewing good and eating too fast though. I had a lot of fears reading this site too, but I tried to just put that in the back of my head and let faith take over. I love my band, it gave me back my life. I worry about complications down the road but I would just get another band or surgery if I had to.

You look great and I am trying the whole will power thing but it is so hard . I was banded 8/24/10 and lost 52 lbs so far and looking to lose another 60-70 lbs .. but 40 will be my next goal

You look great and I am trying the whole will power thing but it is so hard . I was banded 8/24/10 and lost 52 lbs so far and looking to lose another 60-70 lbs .. but 40 will be my next goal

After you have lost 50 pounds, you might find it beneficial to break your goals down into smaller pieces. For many people, 50 pounds (or thereabouts, plus or minus) becomes the point where loss begins to slow, and you need to give yourself more frequent "victories" on the scale. I would consider creating 10 or 15 pound goal increments. Have a "Master" goal of the TOTAL amount you want to lose, but don't pay attention to that until the final amount is the NEXT goal.....just pay attention to your smaller, incremental goals. You will feel a greater and more frequent sense of "success" if you break it up a bit.

S.